HEAD coach Sherwin Meneses understands how things are when other teams go up against his team, Creamline. They want to beat the hell out of them to prove they can go toe-to-toe with the best team in the league
So it is in any league, any sport. And it is no different in the PVL where teams put on an extra effort, an extra "gigil," as Meneses describes it, when facing the nine-time PVL champions.
Unfortunately for these teams, Creamline is always ready, always aware that its opponents want to bring them down and earn bragging rights. Most of the time, though, these teams don't succeed because Creamline seldom wavers, thanks to a winning system that has made them a dynasty and nearly unbeatable the last seven years.
After exacting revenge over defending Invitational Conference champion Kurashiki Ablaze in a 25-22, 25-22, 26-28, 25-21 victory, Creamline plans to do the same against a Cignal team eager for redemption after losing to the champs in a five-set Reinforced Conference semifinals heartbreak.
“Wala na rin sila sigurong time mag-practice eh. Mga senior naman yung players so ready kami bukas kung anumang sitwasyon yung mangyayari,” said Meneses.
“Lahat naman gigil sa’min eh, so ready kami palagi maglaro.”
'Nothing to prove' for Creamline
With a historic Grand Slam within reach again after falling short the last two years, Michele Gumabao, who’s been in all nine title-winning Creamline squads, still isn’t getting too caught up on what could yet be another achievement to add to the many that her team has racked up over the years.
Because at this point, and after all those title runs in years past, Creamline has ‘nothing more to prove, its legacy already secured.
“Kung ibibigay talaga sa’min ni Lord ‘yun, paghihirapan namin. Pero like kanina, ‘pag na-rarattle kami, sabi ni coach, ‘wag masyadong pressure. Kaka-champion lang natin, there’s nothing to prove,” Gumabao said.
“Chine-check lang talaga namin how we’re able to play and the results will speak for itself if we work hard on and off the court and if we give our 100 percent.”
Meneses added: “Kung mag-Grand Slam kami, thank you. Pero siyempre, hindi ganun kadali. Talagang marami pa rin ‘yung pagdadaanan mo talaga. One game at a time muna kami.”
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